Thinking about returning to college? You’re not alone. Aaron Kirk attended a different college after high school, but quickly found himself on academic probation and was suspended shortly after starting. Fourteen years later, Aaron returned to college and enrolled at SPC to pursue an AAS degree in Marketing. This time, Aaron is eager to finish his education and learn ways to better serve others in the hospitality industry.

Aaron reflects on his early days at SPC, when he quickly overcame personal anxieties and rekindled his passion for learning the complex skills required for the service industry, which would support his personal and professional goals. He appreciated the warm welcome from staff, instructors, and fellow students who made him feel at home. He especially values the vibrant campus atmosphere that celebrates cultural and age diversity among students. Watching his classmates, Aaron was often inspired by many younger students dedicated to pursuing their passions while learning new skills and approaches to better serve others.

Besides learning from fellow students, Aaron valued the exceptional faculty members who provided insightful advice on serving others better in the hospitality industry. He appreciated the instructor’s flexibility in accommodating his busy schedule and encouragement when the lessons became more challenging. He learned principles that help him stay calm during stressful moments. Aaron also learned to take pride in his work and show respect to customers through genuine, authentic communication, aimed at serving others with pleasure. Some of the specific skills he learned that stood out most to Aaron included:

• Learning how to find resources that assist others with travel and hospitality services.
• How to analyze metrics for measuring social media effectiveness.
• Using appropriate body language that matches customers’ attitudes, especially during challenging interactions.
• Improving his focus on customer details and nuances to better understand people and effectively address their needs.

Aaron works full-time as a front-desk agent for Hilton in the Portland area while earning six more credits needed to graduate this fall. He views hands-on experience with Hilton as a valuable step toward future growth in the hospitality industry, and he has become more self-aware and confident in serving others with purpose and genuine enthusiasm.

The hospitality industry requires excellent communication skills to effectively meet customers’ needs and desires. SPC has shown me many ways to genuinely serve customers with passion and confidence. Thank you, SPC marketing instructors, for giving me a learning experience that went beyond my expectations.    

Aaron Kirk

SPC Marketing Student